Protective coatings for inorganic substrates and coated inorganic substrates

ABSTRACT

A composition for protecting a surface of an inorganic substrate, such as concrete, terrazzo, or ceramic tile, includes a silicate (i.e., an alkali metal polysilicate or a colloidal silica), a siliconate (e.g., a metal siliconate, such as an alkali metal methyl siliconate, etc.), acrylic latex, a silane coupling agent, and a solvent, such as ethylene glycol monobutyl ether. Inorganic substrates, such as concrete, stone, and ceramic materials, with such a composition on their surfaces are also disclosed, as are methods for polishing and protecting inorganic substrates.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is a divisional of U.S. patent application Ser. No.13/613,057, filed on Sep. 13, 2012, and titled “PROTECTIVE COATINGS FORINORGANIC SUBSTRATES AND COATED INORGANIC SUBSTRATES” (hereinafter “the'057 Application”), which is a continuation of U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 13/016,756, filed on Jan. 28, 2011, and titled “PROTECTIVECOATINGS FOR INORGANIC SUBSTRATES AND ASSOCIATED METHODS” (hereinafter“the '756 Application”), which claims the benefit of priority under 35U.S.C. §119(e) to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/299,882,filed on Jan. 29, 2010, and titled “PROTECTIVE COATINGS FOR INORGANICSUBSTRATES AND ASSOCIATED METHODS” (hereinafter “the '882 Application”).The entire disclosures of the '057 Application, the '882 Application andthe '756 Application are, by this reference, hereby incorporated herein.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention, in various embodiments, relates generally tocompositions and methods for protecting and polishing substrates and,more specifically, to compositions that include a silicate, such as analkali metal polysilicate (e.g., lithium polysilicate, etc.) or acolloidal silica. In particular, the present invention relates tocompositions that include a silicate and one or more siliconates, ororganosiliconates, as well as to the application of such compositions tovarious inorganic substrates. In a specific embodiment, the presentinvention relates to a composition that includes lithium polysilicateand a siliconate, such as a metal siliconate or, even more specifically,an alkali metal siliconate. Such a composition may, in some embodiments,be applied to inorganic substrates, such as concrete, stone, and ceramicsubstrates.

RELATED ART Use of Alkali Metal Silicates on Inorganic Substrates

Alkali metal silicates, such as potassium polysilicate and sodiumpolysilicate, have long been used to protect, harden, and polishinorganic substrates, such as cement. When applied to an inorganicsubstrate, alkali metal silicates react with free lime (calcium oxide,calcium hydroxide) in the inorganic substrate to prevent the surface ofthe inorganic substrate from becoming porous, or to reduce porosity atthe surface of the inorganic substrate.

Over recent years, lithium polysilicates, which are also known in theart as “lithium silicates,” have found widespread use in a variety ofcompositions that are formulated for application to inorganicsubstrates, such as concrete, masonry, and stone. Compositions thatinclude lithium silicates may be formulated for a variety of purposes,including to protect, densify or harden, and/or polish the inorganicsubstrates to which they are applied.

The ever-increasing use of lithium silicate in connection with inorganicsubstrates has been due, in part, to its superior performance inpenetrating and reacting with inorganic substrates when compared withother alkaline metal polysilicates, such as potassium polysilicates andsodium polysilicates. Among other things, lithium silicate is lessalkaline (i.e., has a lower pH) than other alkaline metal silicates,which protects the substrate from undesirable reactions and improves thestability of the substrate. It has also been found that lithium silicatepenetrates more quickly and further into inorganic substrates than otheralkali metal silicates (possibly due to its smaller size than otheralkaline metal polysilicates), further enhancing the ability of lithiumsilicate to protect the inorganic substrates to which it is appliedagainst staining and deterioration (such as that caused by wear,dusting, sweating, efflorescence, scaling, surface alkali silicareaction (ASR), damaging alkalis, etc.).

While alkali metal silicates protect the surfaces of inorganicsubstrates by hardening and densifying the surfaces to which they areapplied, they are typically not used to seal the surfaces of thesubstrates to which they are applied. Instead, thicker polymericcoatings are used for that purpose. While polymeric coatings oninorganic flooring surfaces provide protection for extended periods oftime and may initially increase glossiness, they are scuffed andscratched over time, particularly in high traffic areas.

Alternatively, or in addition to a polymeric coating, inorganic floorsurfaces may be protected by use of a wax, particularly when a highgloss finish is desired. When wax is applied to an inorganic floorsurface, it is typically applied in several (e.g., three to seven)relatively thick coats. But, like any other protective coating, whensubjected to traffic, the protective coating that has been formed by thewax is scratched and scuffed.

As the number of scratches and scuffs in any protective coatingincreases, the gloss of the protective coating decreases. In order tomaintain the desired level of glossiness, the protective coating must beperiodically burnished, which consumes significant amounts of time. Whena wax is used to protect the inorganic flooring surface, periodicburnishing requires the use of organic solvents, such as butoxy ethanol,which are often harmful to the environment, as well as to the personswho use such solvents. In some settings, wax coatings are burnished on adaily basis, requiring significant time and resources (e.g., burnishingpads, butoxy ethanol, etc.).

In addition to the undesired maintenance that wax and other protectivecoatings require, they must also be stripped and replaced periodically.In high traffic settings, such as stores, schools, and hospitals, waxprotective coatings on floors are often stripped and replaced every sixto eight weeks. Due to their thicknesses, wax protective coatings mustbe stripped to prevent undesired buildup of the wax. Stripping requiresthe use of hazardous organic solvents, such as butoxy ethanol, andconsumes a great deal of time, as the old wax must be collected anddiscarded. Frequent reapplication of wax protective coatings alsoconsumes valuable time and resources (e.g., wax, burnishing pads, etc.).

SUMMARY

The present invention includes compositions for protecting inorganicsubstrates, such as concrete, terrazzo, and ceramic tile floors. Inaddition, the present invention includes methods for protecting exposedsurfaces of inorganic substrates.

As used herein, the term “protect,” when used in reference to aninorganic substrate, includes, but is not limited to, hardening,densifying, and at least partially sealing the inorganic substrate.Additionally, “protection” of an inorganic substrate may includepolishing a surface of the inorganic substrate.

Various embodiments of compositions that incorporate teachings of thepresent invention include water, a silicate, such as an alkali metalpolysilicate (e.g., lithium polysilicate, potassium polysilicate, sodiumpolysilicate, etc.) or a colloidal silica and a siliconate, such as ametal siliconate or, in some more specific embodiments, an alkali metalsiliconate (e.g., sodium methyl siliconate, potassium methyl siliconate,etc.), along with acrylic latex, a silane coupling agent (e.g., anepoxysilane, such as Nβ(aminoethyl)-r-aminopropyl-trimethoxysilane,etc.), a solvent (e.g., a glycol solvent, such as ethylene glycolmonobutyl ether, etc.), and an optional leveling agent. The levelingagent may comprise a surfactant (e.g., a fluorosurfactant, etc.) or anorganic leveling agent (e.g., a silicone leveling agent, etc.). Thecomponents of a composition that incorporates teachings of the presentinvention are, in some embodiments, dispersed throughout thecomposition. In some embodiments, one or more of the components may bepresent in solution.

In another aspect, the present invention includes embodiments of methodsfor blending compositions that are useful for protecting inorganicsubstrates. One specific embodiment of such a method includes blending asurfactant and/or leveling agent into water, adding a solvent and/orsilane coupling agent to the mixture, then adding a silane, a silicate,a siliconate, and acrylic latex. Another embodiment of a method forcompounding a composition of the present invention includes mixing waterand a solvent, optionally adding a surfactant to that mixture, thenadding a silane coupling agent, a silicate, a siliconate, and thenacrylic latex.

The present invention also includes various embodiments of methods forprotecting inorganic substrates. In such embodiments, an embodiment of acomposition according to the present invention is applied to theinorganic substrate. A composition of the present invention may besprayed onto a surface of the inorganic substrate and/or spread onto thesurface of the inorganic substrate (e.g., with a microfiber mop, etc.).The surface of the inorganic substrate, with the composition thereon,may then be burnished in a manner known in the art (e.g., with adiamond-impregnated pad, etc.).

In a specific embodiment, an embodiment of a composition of the presentinvention is applied to a surface of an inorganic substrate, such as thesurface of a concrete, terrazzo, or ceramic tile floor. The compositionmay be sprayed and spread onto the surface of the inorganic substrate.The surface of the inorganic substrate may then be burnished. Theapplication and burnishing processes may be repeated at least once. Sucha process may protect the surface of the inorganic substrate, as well asprovide it with a polished finish.

Other aspects of the present invention, as well as features andadvantages of various aspects of the present invention, will becomeapparent to those of ordinary skill in the art through consideration ofthe ensuing description and the appended claims.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present invention includes compositions for protecting the surfacesof inorganic substrates. In some embodiments, compositions of thepresent invention may also impart inorganic substrate surfaces with apolished finish. One embodiment of such a composition includes water, asilicate, acrylic latex, an alkaline metal methyl siliconate, a silanecoupling agent, and a solvent.

The following table lists various components that may be included invarious embodiments of a composition according to the present invention,as well as possible amounts of each component of such a composition:

Percent Percent (weight/weight) (weight/weight) Component Range(Specific Embodiment) Water Balance 68.95 Solvent (e.g., Ethylene0.25-1   0.5 (Ethylene Glycol Glycol Monobutyl Ether, Monobutyl Ether)Dipropylene Glycol Dimethyl Ether, Dipropylene Glycol n-Butyl Ether,etc.) Leveling Agent (e.g., Fluoro 0.05-1   0.05 (Silicone Surfactant,Silicone Leveling Agent) Leveling Agent, Trialkyl Phosphate, etc.)Silane Coupling Agent (e.g., 0.5-2.5 2.0 N-β (aminoethyl)-r-aminopropyl-trimethoxysilane, etc.) Silicate (e.g., Lithium 10-25 16.0 Polysilicate,etc.) Alkali Metal Methyl  1-7.5 2.5 Siliconate (e.g., Potassium MethylSiliconate, etc.) Acrylic Latex  4-25 10.0

All weight percentages in the preceding table and elsewhere throughoutthis disclosure account for the total weight of each component,including water.

While other components may be included in some embodiments of acomposition that incorporates teachings of the present invention, otherembodiments consist essentially of water, a silicate, acrylic latex, asiliconate, a silane coupling agent, and a solvent, with the surfactantbeing a non-essential component. In other embodiments, a composition ofthe present invention consists of water, a silicate, acrylic latex, asiliconate, a silane coupling agent, and a solvent, while a surfactant,such as a fluorosurfactant, may be required in still other embodimentsof a composition of the present invention.

In various embodiments, the solvent of a composition of the presentinvention may be a glycol solvent, such as ethylene glycol monobutylether. Ethylene glycol monobutyl ether is also known as“2-butoxyethanol” and as “Glycol Ether EB.” It has the molecularchemical formula C₆H₁₄O₂ and the chemical structureCH₃CH₂CH₂CH₂OCH₂CH₂OH. Ethylene glycol monobutyl ether is a solvent fora variety of resins, including, without limitation, acrylic resins. As asolvent, ethylene glycol monobutyl ether enhances wettability of acomposition of the present invention. Ethylene glycol monobutyl ether isavailable from a variety of sources, including the Dow Chemical Companyof Midland, Michigan; Eastman Chemical Company of Kingsport, Tenn.; andLyondell Chemical Company of Houston, Tex.

Other examples of solvents that may be used in various embodiments ofcompositions according to the present invention include, but are notlimited to, dipropylene glycol dimethyl ether and dipropylene glycoln-butyl ether. Dipropylene glycol dimethyl ether has the chemicalformula CH₃OCH₂CH(CH₃)OCH₂CH(CH₃)OCH₃ (major isomer). The Dow ChemicalCompany sells dipropylene glycol dimethyl ether under the trademarkPROGLYDE™ DMM. The chemical formula of dipropylene glycol n-butyl etheris C₄H₉O[CH₂CH(CH₃)O]₂H (major isomer). Dipropylene glycol n-butyl etheris available from The Dow Chemical Company under the trademark DOWANOL®DPnB.

A silane coupling agent of a composition of the present invention mayhave at least two reactive groups of different types bonded to a siliconatom in the molecule. One of the reactive groups (e.g., a methoxy group(—OCH₃), an ethoxy group (—OCH₂CH₃), a silanic hydroxyl group (—SiOH),etc.) is reactive with an inorganic material, while another of thereactive groups (e.g., a vinyl group (—CH═CH₂), an epoxide (in which anoxygen atom is covalently bonded to two adjacent, covalently bondedcarbon atoms, forming a three-member ring), a methacryl group(CH₂═C(CH₃)C(O)—), an amino group (—NH₂), a thiol or mercapto group(—SH), etc.) is reactive with an organic material. These two reactivegroups of the silane coupling agent bind inorganic components (e.g., thesilicate, etc.) and organic components (e.g., the siliconate, etc.) of acomposition of the present invention to each other. It is also believedthat the two reactive groups of the silane coupling agent enhanceadhesion of a composition of the present invention to an inorganicsubstrate. In addition to its binding and potential adhesive properties,the silane coupling agent may serve as a sealant and/or as a waterrepellant.

In a specific embodiment, the silane coupling agent of a composition ofthe present invention may comprise or consist of an aminoethylaminopropyl trimethoxy silane (C₈H₂₂N₂O₃Si), which is known by thechemical names N-β (aminoethyl)-r-aminopropyl-trimethoxysilane,[3-(2-Aminoethyl)aminopropyl]trimethoxysilane, andN-[3-(Trimethoxysilyl)propyl]ethylenediamine. Such a material isavailable from Dow Corning Corporation of Midland, Mich., as Z-6020, aswell as from a variety of other sources.

The silicate of various embodiments of a composition of the presentinvention comprises an alkali metal silicate, such as lithiumpolysilicate. In alternative embodiments, the silicate may include analkali metal polysilicate, such as potassium polysilicate and/or sodiumpolysilicate, and/or a colloidal silica in place of or in addition tothe lithium polysilicate. Silicates are available from a variety ofsources. For example, Grace Davison, a subsidiary of the GracePerformance Chemicals division of W. R. Grace & Co. of Columbia, Md.,sells lithium polysilicate under the trade name LUDOX®. Varioussilicates are also manufactured by PQ Corporation of Malvern, Pa.

Silicates, which are inorganic materials, may impart a cured orsolidified form of a composition of the present invention (e.g., acoating, etc.) with a desired hardness, which may further preventabrasion or impact damage to the inorganic substrate. Silicates may alsochemically react with components of some inorganic substrates to furtherenhance the hardness that the silicates otherwise provide. As anexample, silicates may chemically react with various materials ofinorganic substrates, such as the free lime within concrete.

In addition to imparting a composition of the present invention withhardness, a silicate may provide some water repellency, as well asminimize or eliminate corrosion of an inorganic substrate to which thecomposition is applied (e.g., on which a coating that comprises a curedor solid form of the composition is formed, etc.).

Further water repellency may be provided by the siliconate of acomposition of the present invention. In some embodiments, thesiliconate may comprise a metal siliconate, such as an alkali metalsiliconate (e.g., potassium methyl siliconate and/or sodium metalsiliconate, etc.) all of which are manufactured by Dow Corning. In aspecific embodiment, the siliconate of a composition of the presentinvention consists of the potassium methyl siliconate available from DowCorning as XIAMETER® 0777. In such embodiments, the composition laysout, or spreads, well. Thus, there may be no need for a leveling agent(e.g., a fluorosurfactant, etc.) in such embodiments.

Acrylic latex is an emulsion of an acrylic polymer in water. In acomposition of the present invention, acrylic latex may facilitateadhesion of the composition to an inorganic substrate. In a specificembodiment, the acrylic latex may have a solids content of about 47% toabout 49%, such as the PLIOTEC® PA90 acrylic latex available fromEliokem of Villejust, France. Another example of a latex that may beused in various embodiments of compositions according to the presentinvention is AVANSE™ MV-100 from The Dow Chemical Company.

In embodiments of compositions that include surfactants, nonionicfluorinated surfactants, or “fluorosurfactants,” may be used.Fluorosurfactants are more effective than ionic (hydrocarbon)surfactants at reducing the surface tension of water and, thus, thesurface tension of a composition in which they are included. The reducedsurface tension of a composition that includes one or morefluorosurfactants may facilitate wetting of a substrate surface with thecomposition, as well as spreading and leveling of the composition on thesurface of the substrate. The inclusion of a fluorosurfactant in acomposition of the present invention may also enable a composition ofthe present invention to penetrate smaller voids in a substrate than maybe penetrated by embodiments of compositions that lack fluorosurfactants(i.e., that include other types of surfactants or that lacksurfactants). A specific embodiment of a composition of the presentinvention includes the fluorosurfactant marketed as MASURF® FS-120A byMason Chemical Company of Arlington Heights, Ill. In another specificembodiment, a composition of the present invention may include afluorosurfactant and comprise a short chain molecule (e.g., four carbonatoms, etc.), such as the perfluorobutanesulfonic acid-basedfluorosurfactants marketed by 3M of St. Paul, Minn., under the tradename NOVEC™.

As an alternative to a surfactant, or in addition thereto, a compositionaccording to the present invention may include a leveling agent of atype known in the art. Like surfactants, leveling agents enable acomposition of the present invention to wet and smoothly coat asubstrate and, in the case of substrates that are formed from porousmaterials, to penetrate the substrate. One example of a leveling agentis the silicon leveling agent available from Dow Corning under the tradename DOW CORNING® 2-9034 Emulsion. Another example of a leveling agentis trialkyl phosphate, such as the tris(2-butoxyethyl) phosphate havingthe chemical formula C₁₈H₃₉O₇P available from Chemtura Corporation ofPhiladelphia, Pa., as KRONITEX® KP-140 (“KP-140”).

In addition to acting as a leveling agent, KP-140 may reduce oreliminate foaming as a composition that incorporates teachings of thepresent invention is compounded and/or used. When relatively smallamounts (e.g., less than about 0.3% w/w, about 0.2% w/w, about 0.1% w/w,etc.) of KP-140 are used in a composition of the present invention, thecomposition may harden more quickly than, and may reduce soiling betterthan, compositions that include relatively large amounts (e.g., about0.3% w/w, more than about 0.3% w/w, etc.) of KP-140.

The following EXAMPLES identify components of some additional specificembodiments of compositions that incorporate teachings of the presentinvention.

EXAMPLE 1

Component Percent (weight/weight) Water 39.99 Dipropylene Glycol n-ButylEther 1.00 (e.g., DOWANOL ® DPnB from The Dow Chemical Company) Silane(e.g., DOW CORNING Z-6020 ® 3.81 from Dow Corning Corporation) Lithiumpolysilicate 30.20 Potassium Methyl Siliconate 5.00 Latex (e.g.,AVANSE ™ MV-100 from 20.00 The Dow Chemical Company)

The composition of EXAMPLE 1 may be applied directly to an inorganicsubstrate or it may comprise a concentrate that may be diluted withwater before application to an inorganic substrate. In a specificembodiment where the composition of EXAMPLE 1 comprises a concentrate,it may be diluted with water at a ratio of 1:1, by weight or volume,before application to an inorganic substrate. The resulting dilutedcomposition hardens quickly (more quickly than the composition ofEXAMPLE 3), but it takes about twenty-four (24) hours to aboutthirty-six (36) hours from application and drying on the surface of aninorganic substrate before the resulting film and, thus, the surface ofthe substrate resists standing water.

EXAMPLE 2

Component Percent (weight/weight) Water 53.364 Trialkyl Phosphate (e.g.,KRONITEX ® 0.3 KP-140 from Chemtura Corporation) Dipropylene Glycoln-Butyl Ether 0.7 (e.g., DOWANOL ® DPnB from The Dow Chemical Company)Silane (e.g., DOW CORNING Z-6020 ® 1.916 from Dow Corning Corporation)Lithium polysilicate 16.32 Potassium Methyl Siliconate 2.4 Latex (e.g.,AVANSE ™ MV-100 from 25.0 The Dow Chemical Company)

When the composition of EXAMPLE 2 is applied to an inorganic substrate,it may resist standing water within about thirty (30) minutes after ithas dried. The composition of EXAMPLE 2 flows and levels on the surfacesof inorganic substrates better than the composition of EXAMPLE 1, withless streaking than the composition of EXAMPLE 1, making the compositionof EXAMPLE 2 easier to apply than the composition of EXAMPLE 1. Itremains relatively soft for about four (4) or five (5) days, however.

In another aspect, the present invention includes embodiments of methodsfor blending compositions that are useful for protecting inorganicsubstrates. One specific embodiment of such a method includes mixingwater and a solvent, optionally adding a leveling agent to that mixture,then adding a silane coupling agent, a silicate, a siliconate, thenacrylic latex. In an even more specific embodiment, the surfactantand/or leveling agent may be “sweated” into the water. Sweating mayinclude mixing using high shear agitation, in a manner known in the art.Sweating may be effected for a sufficient period of time for thesurfactant and/or leveling agent to be completely dissolved and/orhomogeneously dispersed throughout the water. In some embodiments, thesurfactant and/or leveling agent may be sweated into the water for aperiod of about thirty (30) minutes. In embodiments where a solvent isused, the solvent may also be sweated into the water and into anypreviously included component (e.g., a surfactant, a leveling agent,etc.). As with sweating a surfactant and/or a leveling agent into water,the process of sweating a solvent into water or an aqueous solution orsuspension may include mixing or agitation, and may be effected for asufficient duration to enable the solvent to completely dissolve and/orbe homogeneously dispersed throughout the water.

In addition, the present invention includes methods for protectinginorganic substrates. An embodiment of a composition according to thepresent invention may be applied to the surface of an inorganicsubstrate (e.g., by spraying, etc.) then spread (e.g., with a microfibermop, etc.). The composition may be applied in one coat or in a pluralityof coats.

In some embodiments, the surface of the inorganic substrate, with thecomposition thereon, may then be polished or burnished in a manner knownin the art (e.g., with a diamond-impregnated pad, etc.). In embodimentswhere more than one coat of the composition is to be applied to asubstrate, the surface to which the composition is applied (and thecomposition on that surface) may be polished or burnished after eachapplication.

In a specific embodiment, a composition of the present invention isapplied to a surface of an inorganic substrate (e.g., concrete,terrazzo, ceramic tile, etc.). The composition may be sprayed and/orspread onto the surface of the inorganic substrate. The surface of theinorganic substrate may then be burnished, particularly where theinorganic substrate comprises a floor. The application and/or burnishingprocesses may be repeated at least once. Such a process may protect thesurface of the inorganic substrate, as well as provide it with apolished finish.

When such a process is employed, each layer of the coating may have athickness of about 5 μm to about 6 μm or less, which may besignificantly thinner than a layer of wax. The glossiness of thecoating, which may be measured with a gloss meter of a type known in theart in terms of percentage of light reflected at an angle of 60° to asurface of the substrate, may be up to about 80% or more.

When applied to a floor that is subjected to moderate to heavy levels oftraffic, a coating of a composition of the present invention may have auseful life of at least six months, and may last for as long as twoyears or more, as opposed to a useful life for wax of about six weekswith frequent (e.g., daily, weekly, etc.) burnishing in high trafficareas. Due to its hardness, a coating of the present invention mayretain its shine and exhibit little or no wear over the life of thecoating. If desired, however, a coating of the present invention may beburnished from time to time, without the requirement of environmentallyunfriendly chemicals, such as the butoxy ethanol that is typically usedwhen waxed flooring surfaces are burnished.

At the end of its useful life, a coating of the present invention neednot be stripped from the surface of an inorganic substrate, as isrequired when wax is used. Due to the thickness (or, rather, thinness)of the worn coating(s), another coating may simply be applied atop theworn coating(s). When such a technique is used, the new coating willhave substantially the same appearance (e.g., glossiness, etc.) as theoriginal coating. By eliminating the need to strip the worn coating, theuse of environmentally unfriendly chemicals is avoided, as is the mess(e.g., clumps of old wax, etc.) that is typically associated whenconventional protective coatings are stripped from substrates (e.g.,waxes from floors, etc.).

Although the foregoing description contains many specifics, these shouldnot be construed as limiting the scope of the present invention, butmerely as providing illustrations of some embodiments. Similarly, otherembodiments of the invention may be devised which do not exceed thescope of the present invention. Features from different embodiments maybe employed in combination. The scope of the invention is, therefore,indicated and limited only by the appended claims and their legalequivalents, rather than by the foregoing description. All additions,deletions and modifications to the invention as disclosed herein whichfall within the meaning and scope of the claims are to be embracedthereby.

What is claimed:
 1. A composition for protecting surfaces of inorganicsubstrates, comprising: a silicate making up about 20% to about 50% ofthe weight of the composition; a siliconate making up about 2% to about15% of the weight of the composition; an acrylic latex; a silanecoupling agent making up about 1% to about 10% of the weight of thecomposition; a solvent; a leveling agent; and water.
 2. The compositionof claim 1, wherein the silicate comprises lithium polysilicate.
 3. Thecomposition of claim 1, wherein the silicate comprises colloidal silica.4. The composition of claim 3, wherein the solvent comprises at leastone of ethylene glycol monobutyl ether, dipropylene glycol dimethylether and dipropylene glycol n-butyl ether.
 5. The composition of claim4, wherein: the ethylene glycol monobutyl ether makes up about 0.5% toabout 2% of the weight of the composition.
 6. The composition of claim1, comprising a surfactant.
 7. The composition of claim 6, wherein thesurfactant comprises a fluorosurfactant.
 8. The composition of claim 1,wherein the leveling agent comprises a tris(2-butoxyethyl) phosphatehaving the chemical formula C₁₈H₃₉O₇P.
 9. The composition of claim 1,wherein the silane coupling agent comprises N-β(aminoethyl)-r-aminopropyl-trimethoxysilane.
 10. A composition forprotecting surfaces of inorganic substrates, comprising: a silicatemaking up to 20% to about 50% of the weight of the composition; asiliconate making up about 2% to about 15% of the weight of thecomposition; an acrylic latex; a silane coupling agent making up about1% to about 10% of the weight of the composition; and water.
 11. Thecomposition of claim 10, wherein the silicate comprises lithiumpolysilicate.
 12. The composition of claim 10, wherein the silicatecomprises colloidal silica.
 13. The composition of claim 10, wherein:the acrylic latex makes up about 4% to about 50% of the weight of thecomposition.
 14. The composition of claim 10, further comprising: aleveling agent.
 15. A composition for protecting surfaces of inorganicsubstrates comprising: a silicate; a siliconate; a silane coupling agentmaking up about 1% to about 10% of the weight of the composition; andwater.
 16. The composition of claim 15, wherein the silicate compriseslithium polysilicate.
 17. The composition of claim 15, wherein thesilicate comprises colloidal silica.
 18. The composition of claim 15,wherein: the silicate makes up about 20% to about 50% of the weight ofthe composition; and/or the siliconate makes up about 2% to about 15% ofthe weight of the composition.
 19. The composition of claim 15, whereinthe silane coupling agent comprises N-β(aminoethyl)-r-aminopropyl-trimethoxysilane.
 20. The composition ofclaim 15, further comprising: a solvent.
 21. The composition of claim15, further comprising: at least one of a leveling agent and surfactant.